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Political Violence: Police Assure Rivers Journalists Of Security
As tension mounts preparatory to the March 28 and April 11, 2015 general elections, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Dan Bature, has assured Journalists of protection amidst increasing insecurity in the State.
He gave the assurance on Monday following a peaceful protest by Journalists in the State over the spate of insecurity characterized by kidnapping, robbery and violent attacks, which had also affected journalists in the course of performing their official duties.
The State Police boss, who addressed a delegation of the journalists led by the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Opaka Dokubo, in his office, identified with the concerns raised regarding insecurity in the state.
While acknowledging and thanking the journalists for their stand, he noted that it was for the same purpose that the State Security Council had been in session “since morning”, stating that “the Police is not incapacitated, and is still able to ensure peace and security of lives and property in Rivers State.
He told the protesting journalists that he had directed that wherever there is political activity, journalists should be identified and given protection alongside other security measures that will be put in place.
While thanking the journalists for what he called “strong working relationship” with the media since assumption of duty in Rivers State, he assured that the Police would not rest on their oars as regards ensuring security of lives and property in the state.
Earlier, the Journalists had taken the protest to Government House, Port Harcourt where the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Fortune Oguru, addressed them on behalf of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, who he said, was in a meeting with all the security chiefs in the state.
Oguru explained to the protesting journalists that the security concerns they raised were top on the agenda of issues being discussed by the State Security Council.
“I am happy that you have come to vent your anger as regards what is happening in the state, what you are seeing here (Government House) are tiers of security chiefs in the state.
“As I am talking to you now, His Excellency has asked me to come and address you. One of the things they are addressing at the security council meeting is the issue of violence in the state.
“The Government is aware that kidnapping has increased, killing and a lot of violence have also increased in this State. That is one of the reasons they are discussing this morning. I am happy that you have raised your voice. Whatever be your view this morning will be passed on to His Excellency”, he said.
While stating the concerns of Journalists in the State at the gate of the Government House, the State NUJ Chairman, Opaka Dokubo, had expressed the concern that Journalists were not protected in the course of carrying out their official duties, particularly in preparation for the 2015 general elections, which had made them victims in political violence.
“For us as journalists, we are worried about the state of insecurity, especially in Rivers State. Yes, election is all over the country, but it appears to be taking a different dimension in Rivers State, as if it is only in this State that elections are happening.
“We have come to Government because Government’s first responsibility is the protection of lives and property. The way things are going, we as people who chronicle the stories every day of these happenings, have found that gradually, Rivers State is sliding into a very serious state of insecurity, and we are not happy.
“So, for us, we want to tell Government that whatever is needful and necessary to do to stem this tide, please take charge and do it”, he said.
Segbeba Dokubo
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.